Crusher apparatus



Oct. 15, 1963 J. E. NYBERG 3,107,063v

CRUSHER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1960 H 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. dam/Mam? /V/656 Arrx J- E. NYBERG CRUSHER APPARATUS Oct. 15 1963 Filed Oct. 10, 1960 x'lu Johann EdvardNyberg ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,107,063 CRUSHER APPARATUS Johan Edvard Nyberg, Hermelinsgatan 56,

Kiruna, Sweden Filed Oct. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 61,462 Claims priority, application Sweden Oct. 26, 1959 11 Claims. (Cl. 241212) This invention relates to crusher apparatus suitable for crushing stone, ore or other friable material.

The invention is particularly concerned with such crusher apparatus which are used for carrying out laboratory tests. Such apparatus must be thoroughly cleaned after each test sample has been crushed; otherwise the residue from one test sample may contaminate the following test sample.

A crusher apparatus according to this invention comprises a mortar whose work surface has the shape of a body of revolution, a suspended pestle eccentrically connected to a drive motor so that in operation it rolls around the mortar surface (perpendicular to the mortar axis), and a device operable at will to raise the pestle from its work position in the mortar. When the pestle is raised cleaning of the mortar and pestle is facilitated.

In order to avoid relative axial movement between the pestle and the drive motor during the raising of the pestle, the device is preferably operable to lift, as a unit, the motor, drive shaft, the eccentric connection between the drive shaft and pestle, the suspension for the pestle and the pestle shaft.

In laboratory apparatus, particularly, it is often desirable that the particle size of the crushed material should be readily adjustable. The apparatus according to the invention preferably comprises a device for ad justing the relative axial position of the pestle within the mortar.

The crusher apparatus according to the invention may also be dmcribed as comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a unit including a pestle mounted at the end of a pestle shaft, a motor having a drive shaft, a suspension and an eccentric connection between the drive shaft and the pestle shaft such that the upper end of the pestle shaft describes, in operation, a circle, so that the pestle rolls around the mortar and the pestle is suspended from the drive shaft; a resilient support for the unit in the frame such that it tends to lift the pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface; and a readily releasable device operative to hold the unit against the bias of the resilient mounting in a position such that the pestle is in a work position. When the device is released the resilient support raises the unit to lift the pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims; and how it may be performed is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the acc0mpanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a part vertical section through a crusher apparatus according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus; and

FIGURE 3 is a similar side elevation showing an alternate form of the means controlling the lever mechanism.

The apparatus comprises a base plate 10, lower and upper frame members 12 and 14 respectively fixed to the base plate, and a plate 17 hingedly connected at 16 to the base plate 10.

A mortar 18 is formed in the plate 17. The mortar 18 is frusto-conical, and its work surface is formed by a wear liner 20. The base of another frusto-conical hollow member 24 is bolted to the plate =10, and the space between the member 24 and liner constitutes a crushing chamber 22. Material to be crushed is introduced into the crushing chamber 22 through a pipe 28 integral with the frusto-conical member 24.

The plate 17 is normally held in the raised position shown in FIGURE 1 by a nut 32 and bolt 30. The plate 17 can be swung downwardly by releasing the nut and bolt to enable the crushing chamber 22 to be properly cleaned.

A pestle 34, which is mounted at the lower end of a pestle shaft 36, is located, in operation, in the crushing chamber 22 so that its one side surface is in engagement with the liner 20 while its diametrically opposed side surface is spaced slightly from the liner 20; this space can be adjusted, as described later, to control the particle size. The upper end of the pestle shaft 36, which projects through an opening 26 in the member 24,.is rotatably and eccentrically supported in a member 40. Thus when the member 40 is rotated about a vertical axis (as is described later), the upper end of the pestle shaft 36 describes a circle and the pestle in moving around the mortar consequently crushes material.

The member 40, which is fixed to the lower end of a drive shaft 42, has a bore in which the two sets of bearings are fitted. The lower set of bearings consists of ball bearings 44 mounted in a housing '48, which is fixed in the counter bore by a lock screw 50. The upper bearing 38 consists of roller bearings; its outer bearing race 49 is fixed in the counter bore in member 40 by a lock bolt and has a part-spherical bearing surface; and the inner bearing race 51 has a tapered bearing socket in which the tapered upper end of the pestle shaft 36 fits. Bearing 38 may be a conventional roller bearing having two rows of rollers, as shown in FIG. 1. The rollers are located between inner and outer races 51 and 49 and ride in engagement with these races during operation. The pestle shaft is supported or suspended in the member 40 by a pair of spring washers 46, which are compressed between the upper surface of the bearings 44 and a support ring 47 fixed to the shaft 36. The spring washers force the pestle shaft upwardly so that the tapered upper part of the shaft engages the tapered bearing socket. In this Way any play which might otherwise develop between the tapered shaft end and tapered socket is taken up.

A seal 52 is fitted to the shaft 36 immediately beneath the housing 43 to prevent dirt from entering the bearmgs.

The drive shaft 42, which carries the member 40, is rotatably held in a fixed axial position in a bearing sleeve 56 by upper and lower bearings 58, 60 respectively. The bearings are axially spaced apart by a spacer sleeve 54 which is fixed to the bearing sleeve by a screw 55. A lock nut 62 is screwed up to engage the inner race of the upper bearing 58 and to cause the spigot-like upper part 41 of the member 40 to engage the inner race of the lower bearing 60.

A labyrinth seal 64 is fitted between the top 41 of the member 40 and the bottom of the bearing sleeve 56 and lower bearing 60.

The upper end of the drive shaft 42 is connected to the shaft 66 of an electric motor 68, which is carried by a plate 76, by a connection which includes a tapered socket 743 in one shaftin the illustrated example in the motor shaft 66and a tapered shaft end 70 on the other shaft 42 which fits in the tapered socket 72. The tapered parts are prevented from rotating relatively to each other by a transverse pin 74. The base or narrow end of the tapered socket 72 communicates by a channel 75 with the exterior of the motor shaft. The purpose of the channel 75 will be described later.

A unit comprising the motor 68, drive shaft 42, member 40, spacer and bearing sleeves 54, 56, pestle shaft 36 and pestle 34 is resiliently supported in the frame 12, 14. It is movable axially downwardly against the bias of the resilient support, and upwardly under the action of the support. The resilient support comprises a plurality of helical springs 78 housed in equiangularly spaced axial grooves 80 in the bearing sleeve 56; the lower ends of the springs rest on pins 82 in the frame 14 while the upper ends of the springs engage the undersurface of the plate 76, which supports the motor. The pins 82 also prevent the bearing sleeve 56 from rotating in the frame.

A device, which includes a lever mechanism, is operative to hold the unit comprising, inter alia, the motor 68, drive shaft 42 and pestle 34 in a position in which the pestle 34 is in its work position. The device is read ily releasable, and, when it is released the springs 78 raise the aforementioned unit so that the pestle 34 is lifted clear of the mortar work surface--that is the liner 20.

The lever mechanism comprises two links 90 pivotally mounted on pins 88 fixed to diametrically opposed points on a ring 96 rigid with the frame; and a fork 92 whose legs are disposed one on each side of the frame. Each leg of the fork is pivotally connected to one link 90 by a pin 1% and is pivotally mounted on a pivot 94 mounted on a rhig nut 84 (FIG. 2). The ring nut 84 has an externally threaded upper part which screws into an internally threaded lower part of a second upper ring nut 86 (FIG. 1). The second ring nut 86 has, at its upper end, an inwardly directed flange 107 which engages an abutment 109 on the bearing sleeve 56. A hand lever 98 is connected to join the legs 92 of the fork.

When the lever mechanism is in the position shown in FIGURE 2, the pivot pins 94, 88 and 100 are alignedthat is the lever mechanism is in its dead centre position-and movement from this position will, since the pin 88 is fixed, cause the fork 92 to move the pivot pin 94 upwardly. When the pivot pin 94 is moved upwardly, the flange 107 on the second ring nut 86 tends to move away from the abutment 109; the springs 78 however move the unit upwardly so as to maintain the abutment 109 in engagement with the flange 107.

When the lever mechanism is moved into the dead centre position shown in FIGURE 2, the pivot pin 94,

and hence the lower ring nut 84, is moved downwardly towards the ring 96. This movement, by engagement of the flange 107 with the abutment 109, moves the unit downwardly against the action of the springs 78 and moves the pestle 34 into its work position.

The axial position of fork pivot pin 94 in relation to the drive shaft 42 or other parts of the unit determines the axial position of the pestle 34 in the mortar 8 when the lever mechanism is in its dead centre position. This position may be adjusted by rotating the upper or second ring nut 86.

When the nut 86 is turned so as to move the nut 84 axiallly upwardly, the pivot pin 94 is also moved upwardly. However, when the lever mechanism is in its dead centre position, the pin 94 can only be a certain distance from the pin 88, whose position in relation to the frame is fixed. This means that the lower and upper nuts 84 and 86, and consequently the whole unit, are moved into a lower position, when the lever mechanism is moved into its dead centre position, after the nut 84 has been 7 screwed axially upwardly in the nut 86. Conversely,

when the nut 84 is screwed axially downwardly on the nut 86, the unit, when the lever mechanism is again moved into its dead centre position, is higher than before. By adjustment of the nut 86, a very accurate adjustment of the pestles position in the mortar can be obtained-- that is the gap separating that surface of the pestle, which is not in contact with the liner 20, from the liner.

In order to prevent accidental rotation of the upper ring nut 86, a number of holes 108 are formed around its circumference, and these holes are entered by a spring catch 106 mounted on the plate 76.

The shape of the links of the lever mechanism is such that the mechanism is prevented from moving appreciably'beyond its dead centre position when moving the unit into its lowered position-that is the position in which the pestle 34 is in its correct axial position in relation to the work surface 20. In addition, a bolt 102 is screwed into a lug 104 projecting from the plate 76, and is engaged by the fork 92 when it moves the lever mechanism into the dead centre position.

When the apparatus is used, the handle 98 is used to swing the fork 92 into the position shown in FIGURE 2. This moves the pestle to the position shown in FIG- URE l. A test sample of material to be crushed is introduced into the crushing chamber through the pipe 28, and the motor 68 is started. The pestle 34 then rolls around the mortar 18 to crush the material.

After the material has been crushed it is very important that the crushing chamber should be thoroughly cleaned before the next test sample is crushed. To clean the chamber thoroughly the handle 98 is swung downwardly. After the linkage moves out of its dead centre position, the springs 7 8 lift the unit upwardly and the pestle away from the mortar 18. The mortar may now be swung downwardly by releasing the nut and bolt 32, 30. Compressed air can be introduced through a nipple 110 in the side of the frame or through the pipe 28 to blow out any dust, dirt etc. in the apparatus. It is not always necessary to swing the mortar downwardly, since it may in many cases be sufficient to raise the pestle clear of the mortar by moving the handle 98 downwardly.

Instead of using a manual handle to control the fork 92 of the lever mechanism, a power operated device may be used. Such a device is shown in FIGURE 3. It comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic jack 112 provided with an internal piston head 116; the jack itself is pivotally connected to the plate 10 while the piston rod 114 integral with piston head 116 is pivotally connected to the fork 92.

The connection between the drive shaft 42 and motor shaft 66 is such that it can be easily released. Release is effected by removing the pin 74, filling the channel with liquid, and then inserting the pin 74 into the end of the channel 75. The pin-is then given a sharp blow.

The resultant pressure wave moves the shaft 66 upwardly in the tapered end of the drive shaft 42.

What I claim is:

1. Crusher apparatus comprising a mortar whose work surface has the shape of a body of revolution, a pestle, a drive motor for moving said pestle in a circular motion in said mortar, an eccentric suspension between said motor and said pestle for said pestle, releasable spring means for raising, at will, a unit comprising said motor, said eccentric suspension, and said pestle so as to raise rapidly said pestle from its work position in said mortar, and means for accurately adjusting the work position of said pestle in said mortar. V

2. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a unit including a pestle, a pestle shaft on which said pestle is mounted, a combined suspension means and eccentric connection means between the drive shaft for and the pestle shaft causing the upper end of the pestle to describe in operation a circle and for suspending said pestle from the drive shaft; a resilient support for the unit in the frame such that it tends to lift the pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface; a readily releasable means for holding the unit against the bias of said resilient support in a position such that the pestle is in a work position, so that upon release of said releasable holding means, the resilient support raises the unit to lift the pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

3. A crusher appmatus comprising a frame; a plate hingediy mounted in said frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution located insaid hinged plate; a unit including a pestle, a pestle shaft on which said pestle is mounted, a motor, a drive shaft driven by said motor, a suspension device and eccentric connection between said drive shaft and said pestle shaft such that the upper end of the pestle describes in operation a circle and is suspended from the drive shaft and said pestle moves around the work surface of said mortar in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said work surface; a resilient support for said unit in the frame such that it tends to lift the pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface, said support comprising a plurality of helical springs parallel with said drive shaft; a lever mechanism operative when in a dead centre position to hold the unit against the bias of said springs in a position such that said pestle is in a work position, whereby on movement of said lever from said dead centre position said springs raise said unit to lift said pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

4. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a unit including a pestle, a pestle shaft on which the pestle is mounted, a motor, a drive shaft rotatable by said motor, suspension means for eccentrically connecting said drive shaft to said pestle shaft so that the upper end of the pestle describes in operation a circle and is suspended from said drive shaft; a resilient support for the unit in the frame tending -to lift the pestle upwardly away from the mortm work surface; and a lever mechanism for holding the unit against the bias of the resilient support in a position such that the pestle is in a work position, whereby on movement of its lever mechanism into the release position the resilient support raises the unit to lift the pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

5. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a pestle adapted in operation to move around the work surface of said mortar in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said Work surface; a resilient suspension for said pestle in said frame such that it tends to lift said pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface; and a readily releasable device operative to hold said pestle against the bias of said resilient suspension in a position such that said pestle is in a work position, whereby on release of said device the resilient suspension raises said pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

6. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a plate hingedly connected to said frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution and which is located in said plate; a unit including a pestle, a pestle shaft on which said pestle is mounted, a motor, a drive shaft rotatable by said motor, a suspension device and eccentric connection between said drive shaft and said pestle shaft such that the upper end of said pestle describes in operation a circle and is suspended from said drive shaft; a resilient support comprising a plurality of parallel helical springs for the unit in the frame such that said springs tend to lift said pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface; and a readily releasable device operative to hold the unit against the 'bias of said springs in a position such that said pestle is in a work position, whereby on release of said device said springs raise said unit to lift said pestle clear of the mortar work surface.

7. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a plate hingedly connected to said frame; a mortar Whose work surface is that of a body of revolution and which is lo cat-ed in said plate; a unit including a pestle, a pestle shaft on which said pestle is mounted, a drive motor, a drive shaft driven by said motor, a suspension device and eccentric connection between said drive shaft and said pestle shaft such that the upper end of said pestle shaft describes in operation a circle, and is suspended from the drive shaft and said pestle moves around the work surface in a plane perpendicular to its axis; a resilient support for the unit in the frame such that it tends to lift the pestle upwardly away from the mortar work surface; and a screw adjustment device operative 6 when turned in one direction to move said unit against the bias of said resilient support, and when turned in the opposite direction operative to permit said resilient support to move said unit in the opposite direction, whereby accurate adjustment of the position of said pestle in said mortar is facilitated.

8. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose Work surface is that of a body of revolution and which is pivotally mounted in said frame so as to be swingable away from its operative position for cleaning purposes; a pestle adapted to cooperate with said mortar to crush material; a pestle shaft at one end of which said pestle is mounted; a motor; a drive shaft driven by said motor; a bearing sleeve which is coaxial with said mortar and in which said drive shaft is journalled and held against relative axial movement; a member which is carried by said drive shaft and in which said pestle shaft is eccentrica-lly and rotatably mounted such that the upper end of said pestle shaft describes, in operation, a circle, said member having a tapered hearing socket in which a tapered shaft end fits, a resilient device being mounted in said member such that said pestle shaft is forced upwardly so that said tapered pestle shaft end engages said socket; a plurality of helical springs parallel with and circumferentially distributed around said drive shaft, the lower end of said springs being supported by said frame and the upper end of said springs supporting a unit comprising said motor, drive shaft, bearing sleeve, member, pestle shaft and pestle; and a quick release device operative to hold, against the action of said springs, said unit in a position such that said pestle is in a work position in said mortar and comprising a lever mechanism movable into a dead centre position to move the pestle into its work position, means to prevent said lever mechanism moving appreciably past its dead centre position, said lever mechanism comprising a link pivotally connected to said frame and a second link mounted on a first ring nut movable with said drive shaft and also adjustable axially relatively to said drive shaft, said ring nut being in threaded engagement with a second ring nut, said second nut engaging said unit so that as said lever mechanism is moved into its dead centre position said second nut, by engaging said unit, compresses said helical springs.

9. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a pestle adapted to roll around said mortar to cooperate with said mortar to crush material; a pestle shaft at one end of which said pestle is mounted; a motor; a drive shaft driven by said motor; a bearing sleeve coaxial with said mortar in which said drive shaft is journalled and held against relative axial movement; a member carried by said drive shaft in which said pestle shaft is eccentrically and rotatably mounted such that the upper end of said pestle shaft describes, in operation, a circle; a plurality of helical springs parallel with and circumferentially distributed around said drive shaft, the lower end of said springs being supported by said frame and the upper end of said springs supporting a unit comprising said motor, drive shaft, bearing sleeve, member, pestle shaft and pestle; and a quick release device operative to hold against the action of said springs said unit in a position such that said pestle is in a work position in said mortar and comprising a lever mechanism movable into a dead centre position to move the pestle into its work position, and means to prevent said lever mechanism moving appreciably past its dead centre position.

10. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar whose work surface is that of a body of revolution and which is pivotally mounted in said frame so as to be swingable away from its operative position for cleaning purposes; a pestle adapted to move around said mortar in a plane perpendicular to said mortar axis to cooperate with said mortar to crush material; a pestle shaft at one end of which said pestle is mounted, the other end of 7 said pestle shaft being tapered; a motor having a motor shaft; a drive shaft driven by said motor; said motor shaft being connected to said drive shaft by a connection including a tapered socket in one shaft and a tapered shaft end on the other shaft which fits in said socket, the base of said socket communicating with the exterior of said shaft by a channel; a bearing sleeve which is coaxial with said mortar and in which said drive shaft is journalled and held against relative axial movement; a member carried by said drive shaft in which said pestle shaft is eccentrically and rotatably mounted such that the upper end of said pestle shaft describes, in operation, a circle, said member having a tapered bearing socket in which the tapered end of said pestle shaft fits, a resilient device mounted in said member such that said pestle shaft is forced upwardly so that said tapered shaft end engages said socket; a plurality of helical springs parallel with and circumferentially distributed around said drive shaft, the lower end of said springs being supported by said frame and the upper end of said springs supporting a unit comprising said motor, drive shaft, hearing sleeve, member, pestle shaft and pestle; and a quick release device operative to hold against the action of said springs said unit in a position such that said pestle is in a work position and comprising a lever mechanism movable into a dead centre position to move the pestle into its work position, means to prevent said lever mechanism being moved in one direction appreciably past its dead centre position, said lever mechanism comprising a link pivotally connected to said frame and a second link mounted on another member movable with but adjustable axially relatively to said drive shaft, said last mentioned member being constituted by a ring nut, said ring nut being in threaded engagement with a second ring nut, said second nut engaging said unit so that when said lever mechanism is moved into its dead centre position said second nut, by engaging said unit, compresses said helical springs, and said second ring nut having means to prevent accidental rotation thereof.

11. A crusher apparatus comprising a frame; a mortar Whose work surface is that of a body of revolution; a pestle adapted to cooperate with said mortar to crush material; a pestle shaft at one end of which said pestle is mounted; a motor; a drive shaft rotated by said motor; a member which is carried by said drive shaft and in which said pestle shaft is eccentrically and rotatably mounted such that the upper end of said pestle shaft describes, in operation, a circle; a plurality of helical springs coaxial with and circumferentially distributed 7 around said drive shaft, the lower of said springs being supported by said frame and the upper end of said springs supporting a unit comprising said motor, drive shaft, member, pestle shaft and pestle; and a quick release means for holding said unit against the action of said springs in a position such that said pestle is in a Work position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,553,333 SllOll Sept. 15, 1 925 2,188,666 Spohn Jan. 30, 1940 2,391,953 Duty Jan. 1, 1946 2,5Q2,9U8 WhiilOCk Apr. 4, 1950 2,844,329 Duty July 22, 1958 2,856,135 Applegate Oct. 14, 1958 

1. CRUSHER APPARATUS COMPRISING A MORTAR WHOSE WORK SURFACE HAS THE SHAPE OF A BODY OF REVOLUTION, A PESTLE, A DRIVE MOTOR FOR MOVING SAID PESTLE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION IN SAID MORTAR, AN ECCENTRIC SUSPENSION BETWEEN SAID MOTOR AND SAID PESTLE FOR SAID PESTLE, RELEASABLE SPRING MEANS FOR RAISING, AT WILL, A UNIT COMPRISING SAID MOTOR, SAID ECCENTRIC SUSPENSION, AND SAID PESTLE SO AS TO RAISE RAPIDLY SAID PESTLE FROM ITS WORK POSITION IN SAID MORTAR, AND MEANS FOR ACCURATELY ADJUSTING THE WORK POSITION OF SAID PESTLE IN SAID MORTAR. 